Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-09-08
nr,sed M h;s ,vords :

prised OF his words
"Dorcas Lynn" he unused, thoughtfully
then observing my plain dress and evidently
supposing me to be one of the servants he
said, more quietly "Excuse me, little girl
but you greatly resembled my-some one
used to know. am mistaken. Don't mind
it, child" and he went on, leaving me
strangely disturbed at his words. wan.
dered out into the dim, dreary shrubbery,
now leaftess and shorn of its beauty. The
wind blew in fitful gusts, now roaring
through the trees in q fury, now diving
away to breath. Almost unconsciously
had wandered TO the shore of the lake where
/ could see the boats gently rocking on
the water. / had been at the heights five
years, but in all that time had never en-
tered one Of those boats; but strong i'm
pulse made me determined tonight to take
a sail in one. / had often watched them
rowing on the lake, and felt sure could
manage one easily enough Accordingly ]
unfastened one and got In, needless that q
stiff breeze was blowing now, and that
knew nothing about rowing. / took up an
oar and attempted to row, but it was clumsy
work, found, and the next thing did was
to drop it into the water. 1 was somewhat
frightened at this, for the boat drifted
swiftly out from the land and could not
see how could reach the shore again with
out the missing oar.
/ sat quite still, however, and the boat
drifted on, borne by the wind, which was
blowing from the land. A gale was spring
ing up, saw, for the boat rocked fearfully,
and chung to the side lest should fall out.
should never get back TO the shore, said
TO myself. / should be drowned in the lake.
But after all the thought was not so terri
BILE. had nothing to live for, said Every
one at Caledon except the servants would be
relieved TO know they were rid of my pres.
ence forever. And then suddenly remem.
bered that If I died the mystery which sur.
rounded me would never be cleared up.
Who was, what was, and what strange
clue kept me at Calcdon would never be
known. Even should Mr.. Dudley return
and discover, as he had prom.
ised, this secret its knowledge could never
benefit me. / should long since have fur.
nished food for the fishes in the lake where
once in passion l had wished Irma Barrett
might be.
All these thoughts flashed through nv
brain in the few moments l chung to the
boat that was now being tossed like an egg
shell in the center of the lake by the fear
full tempest that was raging. Every mo-
ment expected to be thrown out into the
boiling waves, when suddenly saw q boat
put out from the shore and row straight for
the place where was. Some one had seen
me from the house, / conjectured, though il
seemed improbable, as it was now dark and
= fine rain falling with the wind made it
unreasonable for any one to venture forth
Watched the boat as it neared me, and
could family discern single person in the
bow. In my anxiety to see who he was
leaned out over the edge OF the boat, and
suddenly losing my balance, fell out head
long into the water. / felt rush of cold
water, binding spray covered me com
pletely, half suffocating me; then / felt
strong arm grasp me, and l was lifted into a
boat beside dark form and knew / was
again safe.
My prcserver did not speak, but did not
wonder, for it required mis- utmost efforts to
manage the boat and guide it to shore. But
suddenly as it had risen the wind lulled and
only gentle breeze swept the lake. The
sky, which had been overcast, now partly
cleared and the moon shone through, by
whose light l could SEQ my companions
face. Surely there was something familiar
in that face-some long-remembered Inca
ment. 1t could not bel yet must be Oliver
Dudley who was with me. And at that in
slant he spoke. / knew that voice had
not waited years for those same kindly
tones. "Dorcas," he was saying, ''little
Dorcas, and is it thus l find your
Somehow bis words seemed strangely
cool and calm. could hardly speak, go
tumultuous were the feelings that rushed
over me.
'sMr Dudleyr' 1 cried, springing forward
and clutching his arm, eagerly. at is you,
really you'll Oh, how glad / amp poured
forth this in torrent, still holding fast to
his arm the while lest he might vanish as
suddenly as he had come. But his answer
was very different from what expected.
''Take care, Dorcas you will upset tho
boat. Yes, it is really me in the flesh; rath-
er too substantial looking for o ghost, am
not" were his words.
dropped his arm as quickly as though he
had struck me. His cold tone, his entire abb
sence of welcome to me, chilled me to the
heart. / felt instantly that all was changed
He had forgotten me, and such a weight Of
misery as settled upon me then and there /
hope, kind reader, you may never know.
We had reached the shore now, and, I'M
needing his proffered assistance, / clam
bered out, and before he could detain me,
sped up the narrow path to the house, and,
entering noiselessly, i reached my own room
without being seen by any one. My clothing
was wet from my fall in the lake, my hair
disheveled and hanging loose about my
face. / was forlorn looking object enough,
but my looks were fit Accomplishments to
my feelings. Mechanically 1 removed my
wet dress and then crouched down in tho
darkest corner like a whipped spaniel,
wringing my hands in dumb, helpless agony
at my disappointments.
CHAPTER VII.
This, then, was the end of all my foolish
dreams of Oliver Dudley the end of the
firm, true friendship l had felt SO sure
would spring up between US on his return!
Had he not promised me to be my friendl
Ali but that was long ago; he had forgot
ten me now, and my cheeks burned as | re-
membered my eager welcome and his chill
ing reply.
Sitting thus in the dark could hear the
sound of music and mirth from the drawing
room where, had no doubt, the family and
their guests were assembled. This did not
add to my peace of mind, you may be sure.
Presently Maggie burst into the room in
her usual impusive fashion.
"What, miss, sitting in the darkr' she
cried. "Why, whatever is the matter,
dearl' she continued, lighting the lamp and
noticing my wet, tangled hair aud dis
ordered appearance.
'Nothing at all,' / answered, sullenly.
~ went out for a walk and got Wet
Ali lasl N.,I